Brazing of aluminum-beryllium alloy

Abstract

Ion vapor deposition of aluminum is used to coat aluminum-beryllium alloy parts prior to fluxless vacuum brazing.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for brazing aluminum-beryllium alloy parts, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of metal parts including aluminum in their composition, said plurality including at least a first metal part which includes beryllium in its composition and a second metal part;   performing an ion vapor deposition of aluminum on at least the first metal part; and   brazing the parts together using a brazing alloy.   
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1, wherein said second metal part is an aluminum-beryllium alloy in composition, said process further including the step of performing an ion vapor deposition of aluminum on the second metal part. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 2, wherein all of said metal parts comprise aluminum-beryllium alloy, the process further including the step of brazing the parts together at a maximum temperature in the range of 1,120 to 1,160 Degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1, wherein at least one of said metal parts does not include beryllium, the process further including the step of brazing the parts together at a maximum temperature in the range of 1,080 to 1,090 Degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1, wherein said step of performing an ion vapor deposition on the first metal part is performed until a layer of aluminum which is at least 0.0003 inches thick has been deposited on the first metal part. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 1, and further including the steps of: after said step of performing the ion vapor deposition, mating the first part to the second part so as to have a predetermined portion of aluminum brazing alloy therebetween; and   applying equal compression across an area of the first part in the direction of the second part.   
     
     
       7. The process of claim 3, and further comprising the step of clamping the first part to the second part using a plurality of springs to apply substantially equal clamping pressure across a predetermined area of the first part in the direction of the second part. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 7, wherein said first and second parts are clamped together with a force at least 7.5 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
       9. The process of claim 7, and further comprising the step of equally positioning each of a two-dimensional matrix of springs across said area to achieve equal compression between the first part and the second part.